Turn it off! Don't leave lights and appliances on when unnecessary - including those with LCDs (like video recorders).

Keep it in! Invest in draughtproofing, insulation, double glazing, a porch, conservatory and other energy-saving measures, like low-energy light bulbs. They really do give you a better rate of return than any bank account! Grants are available. An energy audit may help.

Use environmentally sound building materials. For building or DIY jobs, always use the most environmentally sound materials - our resource guide on the topic can give you good advice.

Get an Energy Audit Before buying a house, get an energy audit done - it could save you R1000s.

Consider solar heating Consider whether a solar water heating system (DIY cost, about R10,000) will work in your house - it can pay you back well within its lifetime and thereafter start saving you money.

Minimise private transport. Cut out unnecessary journeys, share cars, use public transport and, if you can, live nearer your work or school, or work from home.

Use your bicycle. As much as you can!

Avoid going by plane It is by far the most polluting means of travel.

Boycott goods with unnecessary packaging.

Boycott food and drink from distant countries and support more local produce. Think of the energy used to transport it here!

Choose the most environmentally friendly products . Especially detergents and bleaches - but be careful about inaccurate claims by manufacturers.

Remember the three Rs - re-use, repair, recycle! They're more beneficial in that order - it's better to find another use for something or to use it again; if it is broken, repair it; and if you can't do either, take it to be recycled. Anything is better than landfill!

Remember that the more complicated a product, the more energy went into its manufacture. Choose and use wisely, or make old products last longer. This applies to cars too, as long as you ensure it runs efficiently. Buy low energy appliances.

If you have money to invest, choose an ethical scheme. It will give comparable benefits and a more positive use for your assets.

Find ways of enjoying yourself that involve less travel and buying fewer things, such as sport.

Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit; cut down on processed food; avoid meat if you can. Vegetables have plenty of protein!

Reduce your water use.

Start a vegetable garden

If you can, compost your kitchen refuse and use it in your garden

If you can't use it yourself, give it to someone with a garden or allotment.

Start a worm farm outside your back door

Plant fruit and nut trees wherever you can

Find out about a local food co-op that buys food cheaply from an organic source - and join it  You won't regret it!  70% more nutrients in organically grown food.

Consider collecting urine for use as a fertiliser and installing a composting toilet,

Reuse your greywater (from the bathroom and washing machine).

Get plenty of exercise, and minimise cell phone and other wireless device use.
 

Clotheslines replace dryers

Using cold water for showering, dishwashing, etc. reduces the need to heat water

Solar water heaters replace electric water heaters

Rooftop water collectors and cisterns replace city water

Thick-walled freezers, run by a solar cell, replace conventional freezers

Canning and drying to reduce freezing of food

Root cellars extends winter storage of some foods and reduces refrigeration needs

Passive solar and thermal storage reduce heater/air conditioning need

Single-source heaters replace central heating

Hand tools replace electric tools – mixers, dicers, cutters, grinders, etc.

Composting toilets and earth toilets reduce water use

Composting toilets reduce soil nutrient loss

"Stewards of the earth" replaces "Cleanliness is next to godliness"